A 2-year-old girl identified as Brittany Nicole died after she was left inside a hot car for more than three hours in Hallandale Beach, Florida, authorities said Sunday.
Background
According to investigators, the child's mother, Cristina Lopez, had left Brittany in the care of a babysitter while she went to work. The babysitter then placed the toddler under the supervision of her own father, who has dementia, according to statements from family friend Brittany Arrellano, who started a GoFundMe page for the family.
Arrellano said the grandfather picked up Brittany Nicole and drove to a home in the 900 block of NW 7th Avenue. When he arrived at the residence, investigators say he never removed the child from the vehicle.
The girl was left unattended in the scorching car from approximately 9:30 a.m. until she was found unconscious around 1 p.m., Arrellano said. During that time, temperatures in the area reached the low 90s, with heat index values exceeding 100 degrees.
The Investigation
Police responded after finding Brittany Nicole unconscious inside the vehicle. She was rushed to a hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead, according to authorities.
Hallandale Beach Police contacted Lopez at her workplace to inform her of the tragedy. "They asked if she was the mother of 2-year-old Brittany Nicole," Arrellano wrote on the GoFundMe page. "She said yes and [asked] what was wrong. The police told her that unfortunately her baby had passed under the caretaker's care."
No arrests have been made in connection with the toddler's death. The Broward County State Attorney's Office will determine whether criminal charges are warranted, police said Sunday.
"This tragedy has touched our entire community," Hallandale Police Chief Michel Michel said in a statement. "While nothing can undo the pain this family is experiencing, our hearts remain with the child's family. We hope this child's story inspires every caregiver to adopt one simple habit: always check the back seat before leaving your vehicle."
Key Takeaways
- The 2-year-old was left in a hot car for approximately three and a half hours while temperatures exceeded 90 degrees.
- Police say no arrests have been made, with charges pending review by the state attorney's office.
- Investigators are awaiting the final report from a medical examiner to determine an official cause of death.
- The child's mother said she wants justice for her daughter's death.
What's Next
The Broward County State Attorney's Office will review the case once police submit their complete investigation. Prosecutors will decide whether criminal charges are appropriate against any parties involved in supervising the child. A date for formal charging decisions has not been announced.
Lopez told local ABC affiliate WPLG she is seeking accountability for her daughter's death. "Justice has to be served for this baby," Arrellano wrote on behalf of the family.